4 – Control Surface Modes and Operation
As mentioned in “Functional Overview” on page 16, the FW-1082’s control surface functions in three dif- ferent control modes: computer control mode, MIDI controller mode or monitor mix mode. While all three modes share certain global functions, each mode is quite different in its functionality and focus.
Bank Switch Behavior Each mode has a dedi- cated illuminated key, labeled COMPUTER, MIDI CTRL, and MON MIX, respectively. Only one of these keys may be selected and illuminated at one time. Pressing one of these keys activates its designated mode and lights the key.
In COMPUTER mode, the host application interprets the banking keypresses and sends bank indicator information back to the FW-1082. Therefore, the function of the BANK indicators is application- specific.
•For example, a control surface plug-in may use the bank switches to navigate between 4 sets of 8 fad- ers so that you can manage the settings of a 32- input mixer defined within the software.
In MIDI CTRL mode there are always four banks of user-defined messages. Refer to “MIDI Control Mode – (General Notes)” on page 20, for more details.
In MON MIX mode there are two banks which corre- spond to different groups of FW-1082 audio inputs. Refer to section , “Monitor Mix Mode – (General Notes)”, for more details.
Each control surface mode recalls its most recently selected bank when you return to it. For example, if you have bank 2 selected in MIDI CTRL mode, and switch to COMPUTER control mode where bank 1 is selected, when you next return to MIDI CTRL mode, bank 2 will be selected.
Figure 4.1: BANK keys and indicators
Computer Control Mode – (General Notes)
As its name implies, the COMPUTER control mode is designed to communicate with the host computer, to control your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) application software. When the FW-1082 is in this mode, fader and encoder movements and all key- presses are transmitted to the host computer and interpreted by the host application software (with the exception of certain global keys like control surface mode controls).
In addition, the host computer can send information back to the FW-1082 to update fader positions and light LEDs.
In COMPUTER mode, the FW-1082 can communicate with the host computer in a number of different pro- tocols (e.g. Native Mode, Mackie Control Emulation Mode, etc.). General details of each of these modes can be found in the sections which follow. For more specific details refer to the Application Notes for your software.
For correct operation, it is important to use the con- trol mode designed to work with your DAW, as described in the Application Notes. We recommend you check the TASCAM Web site for current infor- mation and support status.
Native Protocol
Native Protocol is the FW-1082’s default control sur- face mode. In this mode, the FW-1082’s controls transmit MIDI messages as detailed in the documen- tation on the CD-ROM.
Select Native protocol when using the FW-1082 to control applications with native support and a sepa- rately-installed software plug-in; these include Cake- walk SONAR, MOTU Digital Performer and others.
18 TASCAM FW-1082 Owner’s Manual
